Collapsible container



Oct. 18, 1932. E. A. WHITTLE- COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed July 9, 1929 2 Sl'aeEetS-SMM 2 1 VV NTOR.

1L4. Wifile,

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Oct. 18, 1932 EARNEST ALBERT VIEI'ITLE,

.OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA COLLAPSIBLE CGE'TAINEE Application filed July 9, 1929. Serial No. 377,047.

illiS invention relates to a collapsible container designed primarily for shipping receptacles containing fruits, vegetables, or other articles, but it is to be understood that a container, in accordance with this invention may be employed for any purposes for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a container of the class referred to capable of being expeditiously eX- tended for the purpose of receiving receptacles in superposed relation, latched when in extended position to prevent the collapsing thereof, and further foldable very compactly and when collapsed requires but a minimum space for storage.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set fortl, a collapsible container especially designed for the shipment of receptacles containing perishable articles within a refrigerator car, or for the transporting of such receptacles by trucks or other means, and with the container including louvers or ventilators for the circulation of air therethrough, and further including means to prevent the bodily shifting thereof when employed for shipping purposes.

Further objects of the invention are to proan vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a collapsible container which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong and durable in transist, afifording proper ventilation to the articles contained therein, thoroughly eflicient in its use, eXpeditiously assembled and disassembled, including means for maintaining superposed receptacles containing perishable articles in spaced relation, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

'tically In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section showing a pair of containers, in accordance with this invention arranged in superposed, spaced relation and latched together to prevent the shifting of one relative to the other.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a collapsible container in accordance with this invention.

Figure 3 is an inverted plan, broken away of the container.

Figure 4 is a side view illustrating the container in collapsed and folded position.

Figure 5 is a plan view, broken away, looking towards the top of the container.

gigure 6 is a side elevation of the container.

gure 7 is an elevation looking towards one end of the container.

Figure 8 is an elevation looking towards the other end of the container.

A container, in accordance with this i11- vention, is preferably constructed from sheet metal of the desired gauge and includes a collapsible, rectangular body portion formed of a pair of side walls 1,2 and a pair of end walls 3, 4. The side and end walls are of the desired height and length. The end wall 3 is b hinged as at 5, 6 and the end wall 4 hinged as at 7, 8 to the side walls 3, l. The container further includes a detachable top 9, a detachable bottom 10 and a removable spacing partition 11.

Each of the side walls is of the same construction, so but one will be described-as the description of one will apply'to the other. Each side wall has secured to its inner face in PIOT-Zl nity to each end edge thereof a strip 10' provided with plurality of spaced, superposed, vertically disposed barrels 12 positioned adjacent the said end edges. Each sine wall is further formed with a series of verdisposed louvers 13, preferably stamped therefrom to provide ventilating openings 14. The ends of the louvers are spaced from the top and bottom edges of the side walls.

The barrels 12 of the side walls extend in registering relation with respect to barrels formed on strips 16 secured to the inner faces of the end walls in proximity to the side edges thereof. Extending through each set of registering barrels is a pivot rod 17 which is reniovably secured in position by any suitable means. The barrels 12 and 15 in connection with the pivot rods 17 provide the hinge connections 5, 6, 7 and 8 for the walls of the collapsible body portion of the container.

The end wall 3 comprises a wall member 18 formed at its top with an outwardly directed, right angularly disposed bend 19 which merges into an angle-shaped flange 20 forming in connection with the bend 19 a channel 20 for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to. The flange 20 is of a length to have its ends positioned inwardly with respect to the side edges of the member 18.

The bottom of member 18 is formed with an outwardly directed, right angularly disposed flange 21 and between the latter and the bend 19 is positioned a pair of vertically disposed angle irons 22, each of which has one of its flanges secured to a side marginal portion of the outer face of member 18 and its other flange flush with and forming an outward continuation of a side edge of member 18. The purpose of the flange 21 will be presently referred to.

The wall member 18, centrally thereof and in close proximity to the bend 19 is provided with a transversely extending slot 23 and said member 18 in proximity to the flange 21 is provided at a point between its vertical median and each side edge with a transversely extending slot and the said slots are indicated at 24, 25. The purpose of the slots 23, 24 and 25 will be presently referred to.

The end wall 4 comprises a wall member 26 formed at its top with a right angularly disposed, outwardly directed flange 27, which merges into a vertically disposed extension 28. The bottom of member 26 is provided with an outwardly directed, right angularly disposed flange 29, and arranged between the latter and the flange 27 is a pair of angle from 30, each of which has one of its flanges secured to a side marginal portion of the outer face of the member 26 and its other flange flush with and forming a continuation of the side edge of member 26. The member 26 in proximity to the flange 27 is formed substantially centrally thereof, with a transversely extending slot 31 and said member between its vertical median and each side edge is formed with a transverse slot and such slots are indicated at32, 33. The purpose of the flanges 27 and 29 and slots 31, 32 and 33 will be presently referred to.

'Fixed to the member 26 substantially centrally thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom is a stub-shaft or pivot34 for, a locking rod 35 formed at its lower end with a hook 36. A controlling spring for the lockferred to. The opening 38 is shown in Figures 1 and 5.

The top 9 when arranged in closing posi tion with respect to the body portion of the container is seated upon the side walls 1, 2

and is arranged below the end walls 3, 4. The

end walls 3, 4 are of greater height than the side walls 1, 2 for the purpose of extending above the top edges of the side walls. The top 9 comprises a. body portion 39 having secured upon its upper face at one end centrally thereof, a latching member 40 which is adapted to extend through the slot 23 when top 9 is mounted in closure position. Slidably connected upon the upper face of the body portion 39 at the other end thereof is a shiftable latching plate 41 provided with an exten sion 42 for passage through the slot 31. The extension 42 is formed with a transversely extending slot 43 open at its outer end and which is adapted to receive the upper end of the locking arm 35 when the same is in looking position.

The latching plate 41 has a handle piece 44 and is slotted as at 45 for the passage of the means 46 for slidably connecting the plate 41 to the top 9. The sides of the body portion 39 of the top 9 are formed with depending, oppositely disposed, L-shaped flanges 47 which seat on the top edges of the side walls 1, 2, as well as project inwardly from such edges to engage the receptacles or baskets 48 containing the articles being shipped. The receptacles or basketsare arranged within the body portion of the container.

The receptacles or baskets 48 of the upper row are mounted on the spacing member 11, the latter being provided at its sides with oppositely disposed, depending, L- shaped flanges 48 which seat on the baskets or receptacles 49 of the lower row. The flanges 47 coact with a spacing member 11 for fixedly securing the baskets 48 in position within the body portion of the container and the L- shaped flanges 48 coact with the bottom 19 for fixedly retaining the baskets 49 of the 4' lower row in position within the container.

The bottom 10 is arranged within the body portion of the container, above the bottom edges of the latter and is formed at each side with a depending flange 50. The bot tom 10 at one end has secured therewith a pair of latching plates 50, 51 for extension through the slots 24, 25. Slidably connected to the bottom10 is a shiftabl latching member 52 provided with a pair of extensions 53 for. the purpose of extension through the slots 24, 25. The latching member 52 has a handle piece 54. One of the extensions or project-ions 53 is slotted for the passage of a locking member 55 which is carried by the end wall 3.

The flange 29 of the end wall 4 is formed with a slot 56 for a purpose to be presently referred to. The hook 36 of the locking rod 35 is positioned in close proximity to the slot 56 in the flange 29. r

The locking rod 35 of a lower container engages with the hook 36 of the locking rod of an upper container for connecting superposed containers together and to prevent the shifting of one relative to the other. The locking rod 35 has its upper end provided with an eye 57 which is to receive the hook 36 of the locking rod of an upper container. The upper end of the locking rod 35 of the lower container is adapted toextend through the slot 56 and said upper end of the locking rod also passes through the slot 38 as well as the slot 43. The slot 38 is of a length to permit of the locking rod 35 swinging to any desired extent on its pivot. The controlling spring for the locking rod 35 normally tends to maintain it in the position as shown in Figure 7 When a pair of containers are arranged in superposed position, the flange 21 of the end wall 3 of an upper receptacle extends into the channel 20 provided at the top of the end wall 3 of a lower receptacle. The flange 21 of the upper receptacle seats upon the bend 19 of a lower receptacle. The flange 29 of the end wall 4 of an upper receptacle seats upon the flange 27 of a lower receptacle and inwardly with respect to the extension 28 of the lower receptacle. The extending of the flange 21 of upper receptacle into the channel 20 of a lower receptacle acts in connection with the locking rod 35 to prevent shitting of the receptacles relatively to each other.

The spacing member 11 can be provided with any suitable means to provide a handhold therefor.

t is thought that the many advantages of a collapsible container, in accordance with this invention can be readily understood, as when extended it provides means for maintaining the baskets or receptacles of perishable goods stationary and further provides for ventilation, then further the container is so formed as to inter-engage with an upper container to prevent the superposed containers from shifting relative to each other, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim iSf 1. In a collapsible container of that type.

ing a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed flange merging into a vertical extension opposing said channel, and each of said members having its bottom formed with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bottom flange, one aligning with the bend and the other with said top flange, said extension and angle shaped flange providing for nesting and connecting a superimposed container on the top of and to a lower container.

2. In a collapsible container of that type including a pair of end walls, one of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bend merging into an angle shaped flange forming in connection with the bend an inwardly opening channel, and the other of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed flange merging into a vertical extension 0pposing said channel, and each of said members having its bottom formed with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bottom flange, one aligning with the bend and the other with said top flange, said extension and angle shaped flange providing for nesting and connecting a superimposed container on the top of and to a lower container, a pair of angle irons secured to said members and having the ends thereof abutting the ends of the bends and one end or each of the bottom flanges, and a pair of angle irons secured to said members and having the ends thereof abutting the ends of that flange provided with the extension and one end of each of the bottom flanges.

3. In a collapsible container of that type including a pair of end walls, one of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bend merging into an angle shaped flange forming in connection with the bend an inwardly opening channel, and the other of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardlydirected right angularly disposed flange merging into a vertical extension opposing said channel, and each of said mem bers having its bottom formed with an out-- wardly directed right angularly disposed bottom flange, one aligning with the band and the other with said top flange, said extension and angle shaped flange providing for nesting and connecting a superimposed container on the top of and to a lower container, and said angle shaped flange being of less length than and having its ends spaced from the ends of said bend.

4. In a collapsible container of that type including a pair of end walls, one of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bend merging into an angle shaped flange forming in connection with the bend an inwardly opening channel, and the other of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed flange merging into a vertical extension opposing said channel, and each of said members having its bottom formed with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bottom flange, one aligning with the bend and the other with said top flange, said extension and angle shaped flange providing for nesting and connecting a superimposed container on the top of and to a lower container, a pair of angle irons secured to said members and having the ends thereof abutting the ends of the bends and one end of each of the bottom flanges, and a pair of angle irons secured to said members and having the ends thereof abutting the ends of that flange provided with the extension and one end of each of the bottom flanges, said angle shaped flange being of less length than and having its ends spaced from the ends of said bend.

5. In a collapsible container of that type including a pair of end walls, one of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bend merging into an angle shaped flange forming in connection with the bend an inwardly opening channel, and the other of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed flange merging into a vertical extension opposing said channel, and each of said members having itsbottom formed with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bottom flange, one aligning with the bend and the other with said top flange, said extension and angle shaped flange providing for nesting and connecting a superimposed container on the top of and to a lower container, and said top flange and that bottom flange aligning therewith formed with aligning openings for the passage of latching means.

6. In a collapsible container of that type including a pair of end walls, one of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bend merging into an angle shaped flange forming in connection with the bend an inwardly opening channel, and the other of said walls including a wall forming member provided at its top with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed flange merging into a vertical extension opposing said channel, each of said members having its bottom formed with an outwardly directed right angularly disposed bottom flange, one aligning with the bend and'the other with said top flange, said extension and angle shaped flange providing for nesting and connecting a superimposed container on the top of and to a lower container, a pair of angle irons secured to said members and having the ends thereof abutting the ends of the bends and one end of each of the bottom flan es, a pair of angle irons secured to said members and having the ends thereof abutting the ends of that flange provided with the extension and one end of each of the bottom flanges, and said top flange and that bottom flange aligning therewith formed with aligning openings for the passage of latching means.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

EARNEST ALBERT WHITTLE. 

